Records tumbled as Cayman’s elite swimmers took to the pool for the national championships last weekend.
Around 200 swimmers of all ages competed over four days at the Camana Bay Sports Complex pool.
Many shaved seconds off personal bests and, once the official certification process is complete, several new national records are expected to have been set.
Steve Broadbelt, president of the Cayman Islands Aquatic Sports Association, said the lifting of COVID restrictions on sporting events had enabled a packed crowd to witness a competitive championship.
One of the highlights of the weekend was a new series of ‘super finals’ featuring the best six finishers in every event – regardless of age groups.
That enabled up-and-coming young stars to step up and compete against older swimmers, if their times were good enough.
“It is the first time we have done that and it was very successful, resulting in some fast times and some competitive races,” he said.
It was also the first national championships where there has been a full slate of events for both boys and girls, and the first time a team from John Gray High School has been involved in the competition.
Veterans like Joel Rombough, a former CARIFTA swimmer, also took part in the Masters series.
Broadbelt said it was one of the best-attended championships, in terms of participation.
The four days of swimming are meant to provide a good template for the swimmers that will head to Barbados in April for the CARIFTA Championships.
Among the big winners over the weekend were James Allison, who won the boy’s super final in the showpiece 50-metre freestyle event on Sunday night; Lila Higgo, 14, who won the girl’s event in the same category, along with five other super final titles, competing against much older swimmers; and Kyra Rabess, who took three freestyle titles over the weekend.
Spectators were also treated to a duet and team performance from the Cayman Artistic Swim team.
Related Videos
